1932 Cord E-1 Enclosed Town Car

2003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

This car was built for use as E.L. Cord's personal car. In September of 1929, Mr. Cord envisioned his next masterpiece to be a V-16-powered ultralimousine, stretched 20 inches in the wheelbase (to 156.6 inches). The design team set about rendering this dream, but in October the roaring twenties ended with the Crash. Consequently the plans were scaled back somewhat, primarily in the engine compartment. The V-16 was shortened to a V-12, retaining the 16's 45-degree V angle for packaging reasons, and maintaining the projected displacement and 200-hp output. Interestingly, the V-16 that was originally fitted to this car was removed and used to power the company's onsite generator. That engine still lives at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg museum in Auburn Indiana, which is where this car is headed immediately following the Concours.